Palmyra stadium part of broader vision of transforming sport in Guyana – Minister Jacobs

The landscape of sport in Guyana prepares to unveil a string of world-class facilities by 2026, headlined by the 10,000-seat Palmyra Multipurpose Facility.

Minister Steven Jacobs, speaking during a recent site inspection, has hailed the project as a “game-changer” for the next generation of Guyanese athletes.

“Now is the best time to be an athlete because you are getting direct support from the government,” Jacobs said. “In my time, we didn’t have these facilities. This will transform the community.”

Cricketers Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Jonathan Foo were also present to assess the progress of the stadium, which is being built to International Cricket Council (ICC) standards, officials said.

The Palmyra stadium is just one piece of a national puzzle, as the government is also developing a dedicated cricket academy at the historic Albion Sports Complex.

Jacobs described the plan as a “sporting ecosystem” designed to elevate athletes to the international stage.

The stadium is a cornerstone of the ‘Orange Economy’—a plan to drive growth through culture and sport alongside major infrastructure projects, such as a new deep-water port, a municipal airport and a new bridge over the Berbice River.

For local residents in a county famous for its obsession with the sport, the sight of a stadium rising from the ground is a significant moment.

“No one would have imagined we would have had a stadium,” said Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain. “Now we see the reality. This will mean so much for this cricket-loving county.”

Bishoo added: “In my lifetime, I never thought we would have this in Berbice.”

Construction at Palmyra began in March 2023, supported by a $3.7 billion investment from ExxonMobil’s ‘Greater Guyana’ initiative.

While the stadium aims to host Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches and international fixtures, Minister Jacobs outlined that the region must also focus on building the necessary accommodation to support world-class events, which amplifies the economic impact.

Similar facilities are also under construction in Anna Regina, Bayroc, New Amsterdam and MacKenzie, all of which are expected to be commissioned in 2026.